Can an employer force me to have a LinkedIn Account?

Question

My current employer is forcing us to have an linkedIn account and they are bringing a photographer to take eveybody's picture with the company logo in the background. This seems ridiculous to me and I feel that legally they should be able to do this. Here is the portion of the email that was sent:

The compnay "is looking to use social media as a bigger tool in our business. Management has decided a good place to start would be linkedin.

Linkedin is a site for business professionals. One purpose of the site is to allow registered users to maintain a list of contact details of people with whom they have some level of relationship, called Connections. Users can invite anyone (whether a site user or not) to become a connection. As of 2013, LinkedIn has more than 259 million members in over 200 countries! (I have heard that this is similar to “facebook” for the business world.)

If you don’t have a linkedin page and would like to create one before April 16th please do so. Anyone who hasn’t created a page by the 16th will have one created for them. (You will be given the login and password, but BBL won’t manage your profile. That is up to you.)"

The part that gets me that is that they "will have one created for them".

I've already created profile a few days ago, but having more than a few reservations about putting my profile picture up with my company logo in the background. Is there any legal precedence that stats they can't give me, "Change your profile or else"?

Answer 1

Social media can be an important tool in growing a sucessful business. If the condition of your employment is that you have a car, adhere to a dress code, or have a Linkedin account and you don't wish to comply, you may resign.



Good luck in your job search!

Answer 2

It is perfectly legal for any employer to have certain conditions of employment. If you work at McDonald's, you are REQUIRED to wear a uniform.

The goal of any company is increasing business, and methods that they feel will accomplish this.

You have the right to find a different type of job.



edit

oh, yeah, right... "threaten a lawsuit"... find yourself out the door in 15 seconds instead of 30 seconds. Total stupidity.

Answer 3

Yup.



Requiring you to network or create an online social presence is something that employers can require as a condition of employment. Refusal to create the account (for whatever reason) is grounds for them to legally fire you.

Answer 4

you cant get a job because employers generally hire economists with a master degree and maybe u should consider to go that with your high marks. Another reason is that the eocnomy has not recovered, and there are lots of econ grads of last couple of yrs, and some economists, are still without job. There are more jobs for accountants, but that may take a long time to pass those courses. If u can get a student loan, or ur parents will support u, go for the master degree in economics, preferrably in a bigger city where there are more opportunities.

Answer 5

They can simply fire you for noncooperation in a new job requirement.

If you have a specific reason that your life depends on absolute secrecy (you are in witness protection etc) bring it to the attention of the top HR person.

Other than that, create the profile and then simply don't approve link requests.

Lighten up

Answer 6

No you company can not force you to do anything.



Your company isn't forcing you to have a Linkedin account. They're making it a job requirement. You aren't forced to have one and they aren't forced to continue to employ you.

Answer 7

Linkedin is WAY different than facebook, I can assure you.



They can do it. You can quit if you don't like it.

Answer 8

Why wouldn't you want a linkedin account? Its silly not to have one if you're professional class.

Answer 9

Whether its privacy concerns, fear of a stiff learning curve, or simply not having any interest in being available to the world online, either way, people have the choice as to whether they have a social media account or not. People ask me if I have a facebook, Twitter or other such similar online account all the time and I tell them honestly but politely, no. I don't have one, and don't ever want one. But like others have already said, your boss can't force you to create one, it's your choice. Have you tried explaining to him your reasons for not wanting one?

Answer 10

Just say no, stick to your guns, refuse to comply, and threaten a lawsuit if necessary.

Answer 11

just have it made and forget about it nothing big right